Lipoprotein subclasses compensate the classic atherogenic lipid profile of women with polycystic ovary syndrome, but common antiandrogenic treatments worsen their lipidome
Authors' conclusion
Inflammatory glycoprotein biomarkers are linked to obesity but not to PCOS. PCOS is associated with a classic atherogenic lipid pattern, but a less unfavorable lipoprotein subclass distribution. Antiandrogenic regimens induce negative lipid changes in these women.
Study context
- Population
- Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and non-hyperandrogenic women
- Participants
- 340 / 92 / 13 / 20 / 16
- Exposure
- PCOS vs non-hyperandrogenic controls; metformin vs oral contraceptive vs oral contraceptive plus spironolactone
- PCOSn = 340
- Controlsn = 92reference
- Metforminn = 13reference
- Oral contraceptiven = 20
- Oral contraceptive plus spironolactonen = 16
- Outcome
- Circulating inflammatory glycoprotein and lipoprotein subclass profiles, and their changes with drug intervention
Methodological detailsproton-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy
- Proton-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- Circulating glycoproteins increased in obese women, regardless of PCOS
- PCOS: higher VLDL-cholesterol and VLDL-TG; lower HDL-cholesterol, HDL-TG, IDL-TG, LDL-cholesterol and LDL-TG vs controls
- PCOS: higher large and medium VLDL-P and larger VLDL sizes vs controls
- PCOS: larger HDL-P and HDL sizes vs controls, a pattern not associated with CVD
- PCOS: reduced large and medium LDL-P
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Changes after treatment
- Circulating glycoproteins increased with all treatments
- Antiandrogenic regimens: larger increase in HDL-cholesterol, HDL-TG, IDL-TG, IDL-cholesterol and LDL-TG vs metformin
- Antiandrogenic regimens: larger increase in medium LDL-P, medium HDL-P and small HDL-P vs metformin
- Small LDL-P increased only after oral contraceptive plus spironolactone
Original publication
Lipoprotein subclasses compensate the classic atherogenic lipid profile of women with polycystic ovary syndrome, but common antiandrogenic treatments worsen their lipidome. Eur J Endocrinol. Published 15 October 2025. doi:10.
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